Recruitment Allowances for Understrength Military Occupations Aug 2008

[dimsum]

I am not sure how many MARS officers make it past their QL4 and on

Just an aside:  MARS officers (or any other officer, for that matter) go through the "QL" system.  MARS officers go through IAP/BOTP, NETPO, MARS 3 and MARS 4. 

...back on topic... 

 

[WaitingTime]

sorry, I meant MARS IV

 

[WaitingTime]

on another note, there is no more recruiting allowances for the NCS eng and MS eng in the navy as of the end of last fiscal year, i.e., MAR 08.  Kind of funny that those two occupations are still understrength.  Last NOAB, there were like 3-4 NCS eng candidate and maybe 1-2 MS eng candidate.  I seem to recall 25 spaces for NCS eng this year.

 

[George Wallace]

Before we go much further, we should take a closer look at Ref B:

CANFORGEN 146/08 CMP 059/08 061550Z AUG 08
RECRUITMENT ALLOWANCES FOR UNDERSTRENGTH MILITARY OCCUPATIONS
UNCLASSIFIED
REFS: A. CANFORGEN 164/06 CMP 079 031116Z NOV 06
B. CBI 205.525
C. TB DECISION NO 832770, 22 JUN 06
D. CDS LETTER DATED 28 JUL 08

THIS CANFORGEN SUPERCEDES REF A AND CONTAINS THE REVISED LIST OF OCCUPATIONS FOR WHICH RECRUITMENT ALLOWANCES MAY BE PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ENTERING THE REGULAR FORCE.

THE ALLOWANCES AND CONDITIONS OF ENTITLEMENT ARE AS SET OUT IN REF B, WHICH IS AMENDED PURSUANT TO REF C

Comments like this are just out of ignorance:

Euro, Why do that when a qual'd person can release, re sign and then get 10-20 grand.  :

Good old CF.

It is more cost effective to offer a "Retention/Re-engagement" Bonus than to go through the expense of letting a member resign from the Forces, loosing all Security Clearances, turning in Kit, etc.  The incentives shouldn't be to bring in people off the street, but to keep the highly skilled people you already have.

 

[Sub_Guy]

This is going to be way out in left field, but how about recruitment bonuses for COTP trades?  Perhaps this would increase the number of applicants to choose from.

 

[George Wallace]

This is going to be way out in left field, but how about recruitment bonuses for COTP trades?   Perhaps this would increase the number of applicants to choose from.

These are "Recruitment" bonuses.  If you are already in the CF, you are not being "recruited".  If you meet the criteria laid out in Reference B, you may be able to go through a "Grievance Process" and be credited the qualifications.  Remember, they are looking for "qualified" people in those Trades, not Recruits/OTs that they have to train.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

In a way, you are recruited into a 'remuster only' MOC, granted you apply, and have to jump the hoops but maybe this would attract a few more folks.  Make it a remuster trade recruitment incentive that you get once you reach OFP in the COTP MOC.

 

[George Wallace]

In a way, you are recruited into a 'remuster only' MOC, granted you apply, and have to jump the hoops but maybe this would attract a few more folks.  Make it a remuster trade recruitment incentive that you get once you reach OFP in the COTP MOC.

Again, there is NO BONUS if the person does not meet the Criteria laid out in REFERENCE B.  I have seen several people CT into the Regular Force and stay in their Trade, one of which is listed in this CANFORGEN.  Those who met the criteria maintained their rank and got a bonus; those who didn't meet the criteria came in as Pte (T) on OJT and NO BONUS.  This is a bonus for "FULLY TRAINED and QUALIFIED" pers.  It is not a OT bonus.  They want TRAINED people.

AGAIN:  Criteria for the Bonus is laid out in Ref B.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

We get that...I think what we are talking about is extending the current way of doing business.  if it is being done to recruit people who met the criteria for service, why not extend it to the people who meet the criteria for COTP IAW CFAO 11-12 to increase the # of applicants.

 

[Sub_Guy]

That's exactly what I am talking about, not every COTP trade is bursting with applicants, if there was some financial incentive perhaps there might be more files to choose from.

I am well aware of what the message for understrength trades states.  Although there still has to be some training involved you can't bring in some I.T. Super Hero off the street and make him a Navcomm, they will still have to do the QL3 and everything else that comes with it.  I doubt there are people walking the streets who have Vol II cased or are fleet maneuvering gods.  So they are not saving any money on the training aspect.

 

[George Wallace]

We get that...I think what we are talking about is extending the current way of doing business.  if it is being done to recruit people who met the criteria for service, why not extend it to the people who meet the criteria for COTP IAW CFAO 11-12 to increase the # of applicants.

'Because they don't meet the criteria laid out in Ref B, while the people that they are recruiting do.  As I said, it is a method to get "Trained" pers and not have to spend time and money to send them through the Training System to become "Qualified".  Who is the "Target Audience" then?  Trained (in that particular Trade) Reservists, or former members are the Target Audience.

Don't suggest changes to this Bonus.  Scrap it if you must, but then you'll not attract the young Reservist who has the same qualifications as his Regular Force brother.  Instead, also propose bonuses to keep trained people in their Trades, as opposed to letting them Release.  These are two completely different approaches to offering a Bonus to pers.   The offer of Spec Pay to more Trades may be yet another approach.

 

[George Wallace]

For the "Curious", the Ref B contains the fol text (only a portion printed):

The Forces are seeking personnel with skill sets that meet current CF requirements in these understrength occupations and others. However, the fact that you possess a certain trade or academic qualification does not necessarily mean that you will meet those requirements. Your file will be reviewed to determine the currency of your pertinent skills or academic qualifications and competency.

Re-enrolling personnel who left the CF with advanced occupation skills in a military occupation that has since undergone significant changes may find that their previous qualifications are no longer valid. These personnel are not eligible to receive a recruiting allowance.



Non-commissioned member (NCM) candidates

Post-secondary diploma or certificate

If you have earned a designated academic qualification—a college diploma in specified studies or a technical certificate from an academic institution recognized by the CF—that will allow you to bypass some or all of the initial occupation training in the understrength CF occupation of your choice, you could be eligible for this $10 000 recruitment allowance.

You’ll receive the first instalment of $5000 when you meet all of the eligibility requirements, and the second instalment one calendar year after the first.

Civilian Trade Qualified

Many civilian trade-qualified NCM applicants have skills that translate well to the CF – radiology technicians, for example, or engineers. Applicants who have earned the federal or provincial "ticket" that is equivalent to the CF advanced occupational training in this or other employment areas could qualify for a $20 000 recruiting allowance.

The first instalment of $10 000 is paid when candidates meet all the eligibility requirements; the second is paid one calendar year after the first.

Military Occupation Qualification

This $20 000 recruiting allowance is available to Regular Force re-enrolees. To be eligible, you must possess the equivalent of the advanced military occupation training currently required in the occupation you wish to enter. If you have training that met requirements in the past but does not meet the current requirements, you are not eligible for this allowance, even if you retrain.

The first instalment of $10 000 is paid when you meet all the eligibility requirements; the second is paid one calendar year after the first.

General

If you receive an NCM recruiting allowance, you will be required to serve for three years (from the date of your enrolment or transfer) in the CF Regular Force in your assigned understrength military occupation.

You may receive only one recruiting allowance even if you are eligible for more than one – it's up to you to decide which is the best option for you. RAs are subject to income tax, and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) deductions.

You can find the dated version of this at        http://www.dnd.ca/hr/cfpn/engraph/1_07/1_07_cfpn_recruit-allowances_e.asp         

 

[Eye In The Sky]

'Because they don't meet the criteria laid out in Ref B,

So it would be a case of amending Reb B then.

while the people that they are recruiting do.  As I said, it is a method to get "Trained" pers and not have to spend time and money to send them through the Training System to become "Qualified".  Who is the "Target Audience" then?  Trained (in that particular Trade) Reservists, or former members are the Target Audience.

Don't suggest changes to this Bonus.  Scrap it if you must, but then you'll not attract the young Reservist who has the same qualifications as his Regular Force brother.  Instead, also propose bonuses to keep trained people in their Trades, as opposed to letting them Release.  These are two completely different approaches to offering a Bonus to pers.   The offer of Spec Pay to more Trades may be yet another approach.

All of these 'understrength trades' are far less below PML than the one I was offered via COTP, AES Op, which is, according to the ISS site, more than 20% below PML.  If we are waving cash around in the tune of $20k to get a 'trained' person into the AVN Tech MOC, how can you argue NOT doing the same to get people into AES Op, which is PML/TES numbers wise, in rougher shape?  The ONLY people who can get into AES Op are trained personnel, who meet the requirements of:

VOLUNTARY OT -GENERAL15.    Members applying for transfer under any of the voluntary OT programs
must meet the following prerequisites:
    a.  minimum time prerequisites applicable to the OT program being
          considered, excluding LWOP (Leave Without Pay) granted on
          enrolment;

    b.  MOC selection standards, detailed in the Canadian Forces Manual
          of NCM Occupation Structure (A-PD-123);

    c.  language aptitude and proficiency standards;

    d.  MOC medical standards specified in A-MD-154-000/FP-000;

    e.  QL 4 qualification.

    f.  Only Ptes and Cpls and those MCpls and above who are prepared to
          relinquish their appointment or rank may apply for voluntary OT.

AES Op is feeder trade dependent; at this time there is no other way to get people into this MOC.  It is hurting % wise worse than AVN Tech, who if you meet the requirements, you get back in with your bonus, your spec pay, rank and pensionable time bought back.  But, the CF should not offer a bonus to attract a mbr who meets the eligibility requirements for COTP, to entice them into a remuster?

I understand what you are saying George, I am hoping you can elaborate as to your reasoning, and why this is such a great idea to get people into understrength trades EXCEPT remuster only understrength trades.

I applied for, and was selected for AES Op via COTP.  My motivations were never based on a bonus, I will not be getting one.  I won't get spec pay for a very long time, if I pass BAC and OTU/MOAT.  I am not debating this as someone who would benefit from it financially.  I do think, knowing the state of the trade that I am entering, that it might help entice some people into this trade, the same as the CF is hoping to do with the list of understrength trades in the aforementioned CANFORGEN.

I use AES Op as an example, because I am the most familiar with it. 

 

[George Wallace]

So it would be a case of amending Reb B then.

NO!  The CF comes up with another form of incentive that is more appropriate to current "Serving Members". 

All of these 'understrength trades' are far less below PML than the one I was offered via COTP, AES Op, which is, according to the ISS site, more than 20% below PML.  If we are waving cash around in the tune of $20k to get a 'trained' person into the AVN Tech MOC, how can you argue NOT doing the same to get people into AES Op, which is PML/TES numbers wise, in rougher shape?  The ONLY people who can get into AES Op are trained personnel, who meet the requirements of:

VOLUNTARY OT -GENERAL15.    Members applying for transfer under any of the voluntary OT programs
must meet the following prerequisites:
     a.   minimum time prerequisites applicable to the OT program being
          considered, excluding LWOP (Leave Without Pay) granted on
          enrolment;

     b.   MOC selection standards, detailed in the Canadian Forces Manual
          of NCM Occupation Structure (A-PD-123);

     c.   language aptitude and proficiency standards;

     d.   MOC medical standards specified in A-MD-154-000/FP-000;

     e.   QL 4 qualification.

     f.   Only Ptes and Cpls and those MCpls and above who are prepared to
          relinquish their appointment or rank may apply for voluntary OT.

YOU STILL ARE MISSING THE POINT OF THIS WHOLE ALLOWANCE!  It is designed to bring in "Fully Trained" pers.  The savings of not having to train them exceeds the amount that is being paid out in Allowances.  AS I SAID it is targeted at Reservists who have the Qualifications required, and former Service Members who also are current in the Trade; NOT towards people who require training.

AES Op is feeder trade dependent; at this time there is no other way to get people into this MOC.  It is hurting % wise worse than AVN Tech, who if you meet the requirements, you get back in with your bonus, your spec pay, rank and pensionable time bought back.  But, the CF should not offer a bonus to attract a mbr who meets the eligibility requirements for COTP, to entice them into a remuster?

This is a result of decisions made by CMs in the Trades and the forcasts that they have made, and if they have the money in their Budgets to do so.  As was mentioned in a previous post about a Navy Trade, some old "POs" shot this idea down, due to archaic thinking or not understanding the idea behind it, or both.

I understand what you are saying George, I am hoping you can elaborate as to your reasoning, and why this is such a great idea to get people into understrength trades EXCEPT remuster only understrength trades.

Again, I'll stress; it is all geared towards a Targeted group: fully trained Reservists and former Service Pers who are still current in their Trade.  The motive is to save money by not having to send them through the Training System and being able to employ them immediately on enrolment.

I applied for, and was selected for AES Op via COTP.  My motivations were never based on a bonus, I will not be getting one.  I won't get spec pay for a very long time, if I pass BAC and OTU/MOAT.  I am not debating this as someone who would benefit from it financially.  I do think, knowing the state of the trade that I am entering, that it might help entice some people into this trade, the same as the CF is hoping to do with the list of understrength trades in the aforementioned CANFORGEN.

I use AES Op as an example, because I am the most familiar with it. 

First off, you were Armd, and in doing you CT, you also did an OT.  You were not qualified in the Trade you were entering into.  Had you been qualified as an AES Op, as a Reservist (Not that that is possible), you would probably been eligible for this Allowance.  Had you also done a Tour, as a Reservist AES Op, that would have probably sealed the deal, with you keeping your rank, and if you were a MCpl or Sgt, you may have even been given the MCpl appointment as well. 

As you did not meet the criteria and needed to be TRAINED as an AES Op, then you did not qualify for a bonus on entry into the Trade.

It is that simple...........If you required to be trained, you do not get the bonus.

As I have said, I know several who have joined and stayed in the same Trade, going from Reserve to Regular Force, and those who met the criteria got the bonus and kept their rank, those who did not meet the criteria lost their rank, bonus, and were put on OJT to make up for their short comings.  The ones on OJT, even after being additionally trained, still did not qualify for a bonus after being brought up to the "same" level as the others.

These Allowances are a huge savings to the CF.  It is cheaper than bringing in a person off the street, or an OT, and putting them through a Training facility to qualify them in a Trade.  The idea is to bring in people who are ALREADY trained in their Trade.  Why duplicate the time and expense of training them all over again?  Post them to a Unit and put them to work immediately.

If you want to suggest a Bonus or Allowance for people who OT to a Trade, then that is a whole different matter, and one for the CMs and Ottawa to look into, especially if it could be applied towards "Retention" of CF Members, and a means of taking the load off the Recruiting System.  Again, as such, this is nothing to do with these Recruiting Allowances.

 

[CountDC]

NO!  The CF comes up with another form of incentive that is more appropriate to current "Serving Members". 

I have to agree with Eye in the Sky - why come up with another incentive when there is a perfectly good one in place just needing a little fine tuning. We are not referring to a retention allowance - we are talking about a small change to this making it applicable to feeder trades that require you to be already in. IE mbrs doing an OT to a trade that only accepts currently serving members may qualify for the allowance if they have the required skill sets to meet current CF requirements for that trade.

YOU STILL ARE MISSING THE POINT OF THIS WHOLE ALLOWANCE!  It is designed to bring in "Fully Trained" pers.  The savings of not having to train them exceeds the amount that is being paid out in Allowances.  AS I SAID it is targeted at Reservists who have the Qualifications required, and former Service Members who also are current in the Trade; NOT towards people who require training.

Where do you get this ?? No where in the allowance policy does it say this - in fact it refers to civilian qualifications that are easily converted to military equivalents. MPs was one that mbrs holding their papers from the school in PEI that the RCMP used would qual for the bonus - no military experience required. It is not targeted at reserve or former members - it is targeted at anyone that has a certain skill set that is required - your local mechanic with absolutely no military experience could qual under veh tech if they meet the requirement set out for that trade. They still do basic training ,when completed basic they are given their QL level determined and may even be given rank. When my brother, a mechanic, completed basic he was promoted to Cpl on grad parade and was granted his 5's. We had MPs in Halifax that had enrolled, received their first portion of the allowance while at Basic, then a year after enrolment came to see us in the pay office for their second half. As far as fully trained - they are not fully trained if they have to do basic training.

This is a result of decisions made by CMs in the Trades and the forcasts that they have made, and if they have the money in their Budgets to do so.  As was mentioned in a previous post about a Navy Trade, some old "POs" shot this idea down, due to archaic thinking or not understanding the idea behind it, or both.

Not to be too picky but POs, regardless of how old, do not set military policy and thus, although they may not agree with it,  could not have "shot this idea down".

Again, I'll stress; it is all geared towards a Targeted group: fully trained Reservists and former Service Pers who are still current in their Trade.  The motive is to save money by not having to send them through the Training System and being able to employ them immediately on enrolment.

again - where do you get this info?  Your targeted group info is wrong as I already stated above.  The motive is not to save money - the motive is to encourage enrolment into trades that they are having trouble getting new recruits into.

 

[George Wallace]

I have to agree with Eye in the Sky - why come up with another incentive when there is a perfectly good one in place just needing a little fine tuning. We are not referring to a retention allowance - we are talking about a small change to this making it applicable to feeder trades that require you to be already in. IE mbrs doing an OT to a trade that only accepts currently serving members may qualify for the allowance if they have the required skill sets to meet current CF requirements for that trade.

Once again, because you are talking about two different things; Recruiting and Retention.  The CF needs to look at other means (bonuses) to encourage trained pers to reengage, even OT.  To change a "RECRUITING" Allowance to include "Serving Members" creates too many loopholes and legalities that can create chaos in the Recruiting, Training and other systems opening the doors for abuse.  Remember, this current RA states that although you possess a certain trade or academic qualification, it does not necessarily mean that you will meet the requirements of that Trade, even if you are Re-enrolling with advanced occupational skills.  If those occupations have seen significant changes since the member left, and their qualifications are no longer valid, then they are not eligible.  Your points about OTs are moot/irrelevant in this matter. 

In the end it is going to boil down to the Individual, the Branch/Trade, and the equivalencies offered.  So far we have been too general in our discussion and wound around the axles over semantics.  It is stated right at the beginning of Ref B:

The Forces are seeking personnel with skill sets that meet current CF requirements in these understrength occupations and others. However, the fact that you possess a certain trade or academic qualification does not necessarily mean that you will meet those requirements. Your file will be reviewed to determine the currency of your pertinent skills or academic qualifications and competency.

Re-enrolling personnel who left the CF with advanced occupation skills in a military occupation that has since undergone significant changes may find that their previous qualifications are no longer valid. These personnel are not eligible to receive a recruiting allowance.

As an example, if you are a Trained Crewman, you still will not meet the criteria required for AES Op, no matter what program you want to enter as, and therefore not entitled to the RA. 

So once again, in the end it is going to boil down to the Individual, the Branch/Trade they are entering, and the equivalencies offered. 

 

[Eye In The Sky]

George,

First, I don't agree that the idea of trying to draw more people into remuster-only MOCs is a 'retention' issue, as the mbrs OTing under COTP are not thinking of releasing, rather OTing into remuster-only MOCs which must go thru the COTP IAW CFA0 11-12 and ADM (HR-MIL) Inst 05/05.   The CMs for remuster MOCs have to recruit applicants from the Reg Force NCM world.

Just so all are clear WRT to my situation, I actually remustered from Armour to ATIS Tech, where I was given a trng bypass due to education and experience.  It was after I was already at the OFP for ATIS (Reg Force) that I applied for COTP to AES Op, where I met the requirements of CFA0 11-12 for Occupational Transfer for Reg Frce NCMs.  That might make more sense, however I realize it does not apply to our dicussion WRT to 'incentives'.  I just thought it key to clear up what I CTd into, and what I am now OTing into.

So as you can see, I didn't benefit from the now-existant Recruiting Incentive that ATIS is listed as part of in the CANFORGEN, although I did a CT/OT and entered as Skilled and at the OFP for ATIS Tech.  If the current policy was amended to include serving mbrs and COTP into understrength remuster-only MOCs, or a new policy was created, I would not benefit financially from that either as I have already received and accepted my OT from ATIS to AES Op.  Whats the point?  My arguments are coming from the 'betterment of the CF' perspective, not one in which I personally would stand to make any financial gain from, regardless. 

In the end, I see what you are saying about the current incentives and how they are administered and granted, but I still think it could be extended to attract current serving members into remuster only trades, and would like to present 1 argument/point as to why it might work.

Lets say you have a AVN Tech MCpl, who is making top incentive/spec 1 pay.  He/she is married with 2 kids, and a wife/husband that works part time, or not at all.  If the mbr remusters, they will drop down to Cpl, Standard, IPC 4.  Using the 01 Apr 08 pay rates, that is a difference in pay of $802 a month.  That financial barrier alone may be a deciding factor in the mbr deciding to OT to AES Op or Flt Engr, both Red trades that are feeder trade dependent. 

My point then would be regardless of whether the current 'incentives program' is extended, or a new one put in place, which seems to be what we are tussling over here.

My thought is:  If the CF can do this to recruit into understrength occupations from the PRes or re-enrolling mbrs that are immediately employable with little or no training, perhaps they should do the same thing with the remuster only MOCs that are equally or in some cases more understrength than the ones listed in the CANFORGEN. 

Finally...from this link:

re·cruit   
re·cruit·ed, re·cruit·ing, re·cruits

To engage (persons) for military service.
To strengthen or raise (an armed force) by enlistment.
To supply with new members or employees.
To enroll or seek to enroll: colleges recruiting minority students.
To replenish.
To renew or restore the health, vitality, or intensity of.

 

[George Wallace]

Lets say you have a AVN Tech MCpl, who is making top incentive/spec 1 pay.  He/she is married with 2 kids, and a wife/husband that works part time, or not at all.  If the mbr remusters, they will drop down to Cpl, Standard, IPC 4.  Using the 01 Apr 08 pay rates, that is a difference in pay of $802 a month.  That financial barrier alone may be a deciding factor in the mbr deciding to OT to AES Op or Flt Engr, both Red trades that are feeder trade dependent. 

The problem isn't as simple as you suggest. 

Remember, this current RA states that although you possess a certain trade or academic qualification, it does not necessarily mean that you will meet the requirements of that Trade, even if you are Re-enrolling with advanced occupational skills.  If those occupations have seen significant changes since the member left, and their qualifications are no longer valid, then they are not eligible.

If your AVN Tech MCpl had taken time off to get the proper credentials at a College or University and become certified as an AES Op or Flt Engr, then she MIGHT be eligible for the RA.

My point then would be regardless of whether the current 'incentives program' is extended, or a new one put in place, which seems to be what we are tussling over here.

My thought is:  If the CF can do this to recruit into understrength occupations from the PRes or re-enrolling mbrs that are immediately employable with little or no training, perhaps they should do the same thing with the remuster only MOCs that are equally or in some cases more understrength than the ones listed in the CANFORGEN. 

Again, if a member is to spend out of pocket the money, and has been able to get the time to acquire a Certification that will be useful in a Trade that offers a RA and is accepted for an OT, then maybe/perhaps they may be eligible for the RA.  Remember, the RA is not guaranteed.

The question in reference to your suggestions of giving this to OTs, and I believe that in the first few lines of Ref B it hints at that (see below), is when and how do they get the Certification that will qualify them for the RA?  Where do they get the time off, and out of whose pocket does this education cost come from?  The CF will not pay a mbr twice to get an education and Trade.  If a mbr is getting an Education Reimbursement to study to become a Flt Engr, then why should the CF then give him a RA when he OTs to Flt Engr?  Where did the mbr get the time off to study for this Certification?  Was he paid on that time off?  There are a lot of factors involved with the OT getting the RA that you are arguing for.


.......if you are a former member of the CF re-enrolling in the Regular Force, or a serving Regular Force member seeking a new career within the CF, you may also be eligible for an RA.

Remember this though:

.......However, the fact that you possess a certain trade or academic qualification does not necessarily mean that you will meet those requirements. Your file will be reviewed to determine the currency of your pertinent skills or academic qualifications and competency.

Re-enrolling personnel who left the CF with advanced occupation skills in a military occupation that has since undergone significant changes may find that their previous qualifications are no longer valid. These personnel are not eligible to receive a recruiting allowance.

In the end, this is why I am saying it is more or less targeted at the Reservist, or a recently Released Service Member.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

In the end, this is why I am saying it is more or less targeted at the Reservist, or a recently Released Service Member.

I completely agree.

I am also suggesting we do something likewise for the understrength remuster only MOCs, but not IAW Ref B.  ;D

 

[CountDC]

Once again, because you are talking about two different things; Recruiting and Retention.  The CF needs to look at other means (bonuses) to encourage trained pers to reengage, even OT.  To change a "RECRUITING" Allowance to include "Serving Members" creates too many loopholes and legalities that can create chaos in the Recruiting, Training and other systems opening the doors for abuse.  Remember, this current RA states that although you possess a certain trade or academic qualification, it does not necessarily mean that you will meet the requirements of that Trade, even if you are Re-enrolling with advanced occupational skills.  If those occupations have seen significant changes since the member left, and their qualifications are no longer valid, then they are not eligible.  Your points about OTs are moot/irrelevant in this matter. 

In the end it is going to boil down to the Individual, the Branch/Trade, and the equivalencies offered.  So far we have been too general in our discussion and wound around the axles over semantics.  It is stated right at the beginning of Ref B:
As an example, if you are a Trained Crewman, you still will not meet the criteria required for AES Op, no matter what program you want to enter as, and therefore not entitled to the RA. 

So once again, in the end it is going to boil down to the Individual, the Branch/Trade they are entering, and the equivalencies offered. 

no - same thing - recruiting - just in one case we are recruiting from outside the Reg F while in the other we are recruiting from within the Reg F. As the trade only recruits from inside then the recruitment allowance could be made applicable to them with a minor change along what I already stated.
There would only be a small percentage that would qualify as most would not meet the qual requirements but it is possible that some would.

we can even take it outside the "feeder trade" and expand it to all trades understrength recruiting from inside the Reg F.  Using a co-worker from 12 years ago as an example - he was in the Reg F as an RMS Clk but held electrician papers and continued to work at it on his own time. If the allowance was opened up to electricians for CE then why not give it to him as a qualified electrician. Especially makes sense if the object was to save time and money as he is fully qualified military and trade so is ready to go from day one.

Retention allowance would be applicable to retaining members currently in the Reg F in their current trade after a set number of years. Using myself as an example - RMS is understrength (just never makes the list), in 2 years I have 25 to retire as an IA. Rather than lose another person with 25 years experience in an understrength trade the military could offer a retention allowance to get me to stay another 5 years.

I do not see any loopholes or legalities to be taken advantage of - it is a small change saying currently serving mbrs of the Reg F may qualify if they meet the same standard as everyone else.